Commercial Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 367, 12 April 1866, Page 2

Commercial Intelligence.

NAPIER. •Times’ Office, Wednesday Evening. Owing to recent arrivals, business has become a little brisker than it has been for some time past; bat stocks are still low; and merchants are anxiously awaiting arrivals from Sydney and England—one vessel from the former port, and two from the latter place being now considerably overdue. ' In the way of auction sales we have had one this week, which was held on Monday last by Mr Vautier Janisch, at his mart, Eastern Spit. A number of sheep,—comprising 210 fuU-moutbed ewes, 160 two, four, and six-tooth wethers, 137 wether hogs and lambs—were disposed of at the rate of 8s 6d per head, all round. A few horses were offered, but there was no demand. A lot of jewellery was also offered, aud partly sold, at fair rates. AUCKLAND. LIVE STOCK MARKET. Me Eccelasd's report for the week ending March 30. At the Haymarket on Saturday there was the usual supply of fodder; prices were low; 2s to 3a the cwt. was the price realized for meadow hay, excepting for small loads ot choice quality. Wheat straw sold at double the price of meadow hay. A number of horses were sold at fully late rates, draught mares being the class principally in request. At the Triangle, on Tuesday, the sale of Mr Wallace’s dairy occasioned a large attendance. ■ There was good competition for all offered, and the rates obtained were higher than have previously ruled. Cows in milk brought between £l2 and £ls each; at the calving, from £lB to £22; about 25 head good stores sold at equally good rates. The balance of good merino wethers, ex Beautiful Star," were of small size and youug; they averaged Xss each, and a-pen of aged cws, 25s 6d each. At Newmarket, on Thursday, there was a larger muster of djuiy cows tlitin lor soiuo weeks; prices were lower about 40s per head; store cattle in indifferent condition were lower in price, 20s to 30s per head; fat cattle were in lull supply, good quality, and many of them of large sizeS 3 head were sold, but consumers were bare of stock and high prices ruled throughout. Two pens of store ewes brought 20s and 24s each, respectively. Fat sheep were in less than usual supply, but with no improvement in price. Pigs of good quality were plentiful, and a shade lower in price. Messes Hunter ft Co.’s Report for week ending March 30. We have to report that fat cattle have not changed in price since bur last week’s report; prime qualities still realise high figures, fully 45s the IOOlbs; second qualities are rather lower in price, about 40s to lOOlbs. store cattle we consider lower in price and with a downward tendtney; the market was well supplied with this class; first-class dairy cows fully maintained the higher- rates which have been ruling of late; second-class cows are not bringing relatively high prices. The market was fully supplied with this class of stock. Shop market.—'i here was a full market of fat sheep which sold readily. We consider prices about 2s a head higher this week than last,Tor best qualities, half-bred, brought 3Gs each; some very prime meriuos brought 32s each. Otahuhu Sale.—There was a good show of store cattle <uiu dairy cows at the market, which brought about the same rates as Newmarket. Horse Market.—Saturday last there was a fair show of horses, but mostly of an inferior description; draught horses were very scarce in the market, there was considerable enquiry for them. CANTERBURY. The Lyttelton Times, of the 31st March, reports Our markets have exhibited a little more animation durring the past week, and inquiries tor goods have been more frequent than for gome weeks past. The arrivals of the Cissy and Victory will supply bur market with very many goods much w anted, aud already some considerable parcels have been sold to land. The goods named in our last issue as being very scarce still continue so; and as the shipments are exceedingly small, we look for high prices for such articles as bacon, hams, cheese, currants, &c. We hear of large purchases having been made of cornsacks, in anticipation, we presume, of higher prices rulinK- Some good parcels of candies have also changed hands, and inquiries are being made for woolpacks, induced we irnagme by the lowness of the market rates. The money market has continued unchanged since our last, but discounts arc a shade suffer. Meetings c,f creditors have been held in two estates, shewing liabilities, we understand, to the extent in ail of about £6,000, with tolerably fair assets. As is generally the case when a suspension of any consequence takes place, rumour is busy with reports of others to follow, but we belie ve there is no truth whatever in them, and they should be discouraged in every possible manner as being most injurious and mischievous. We understand taat an attempt is about to be made by enterprising carters to carry light goods overland to Hokitika, so as to compete with the sea traffic. We shall be exceedingly glad to find their effects crowned with success, as it would have a decidedly beneficial influence upon our trade and commerce, more especially in the winter season, when the coast renders sea traffic very dangerous and uncertain.

The demand for Stock is already greatly on the increase, and is influencing prices.